George I period walnut wall barometer with Royal Society scale

The elegant case is of figured walnut veneered and solid oak carcass. The design of the case with stepped and swept architectural pediment has three gilt ball finials (replaced) and is inspired by the finest walnut clock cases of the period. The base has a lovely bold turned cistern cover.
The silvered and engraved register plates are flanked by two brass capped tapered columns.
These register plates indicate by the hinged brass pointer, the local barometric pressure and are calibrated for both winter reading from Hard Frost to Much Snow, on the right side and the rest of the year to the left, measured from very dry to stormy.
The stem was a front panel with moulded edge overlaid with the paper Royal Society thermometer scale. The central thermometer is filled with coloured alcohol. The left hand scale reads from Extreme Hot to Extreme Cold and the right hand side is calibrated 0-95.
This paper scale is bordered by wheatear design so typical on engraved dials and instruments of this period.

*Like many early walnut and marquetry stick barometers, this fine example is unsigned. However, although some years later than the work of John Patrick, it bears a number of close resemblances to his work, notably the wording of the scales and the engraving of the register plates, the proportions of the stem, the design and boldness of the turned walnut cistern cover, the detached freestanding hood pillars with capitals and the three finials. The architectural pediment and arched top to the register plates enables us to date this barometer between 1715 and 1725.